Rating seven 2017 albums by rock 'n' roll old-timers

Peter Chianca | pchianca@wickedlocal.com

Tuesday

Jan 2, 2018 at 11:06 AMJan 2, 2018 at 11:14 AM

A look at several 2017 albums from artists over 60.

“Roll With The Punches,” Van Morrison

Ah Van, you old scamp! After last year’s “Keep Me Singing,” one of his mostly meh, easy-listening efforts, it was tempting to suspect Morrison, 72, might be running out of steam. But Van seems fully energized on this disc, a collection of blues originals and covers of the likes of Sam Cooke, Sister Rosetta Tharpe and Mose Allison. Throw in typically inspired guitar work from Jeff Beck and a backing band to die for and you have one of Morrison’s most satisfying releases in years. LISTEN TO: “I Can Tell” Grade: A-

“Pollinator,” Blondie

Was I the only one who wasn’t expecting this good an album from Blondie in 2017? Granted, Debbie Harry and company may be leaning a little heavily on past glories -- particularly on “Long Time,” which sounds like it could have come straight off of 1979′s “Eat to the Beat” -- but what’s wrong with that? Besides, there are enough new sounds, like on the Sia collaboration “Best Day Ever,” to make this much more than an exercise in new wave nostalgia. LISTEN TO: “Already Naked” Grade: B+

“I Knew You When,” Bob Seger

After what felt like solid but tentative comeback efforts on 2006′s “Face the Promise” and 2014′s “Ride Out,” Seger goes all-in on his latest collection, a hard-rocking set that takes on the state of the world and, following the loss of his friend Glenn Frey, the specter of mortality. The covers are inspired -- Lou Reed’s “Busload of Faith” and Leonard Cohen’s “Democracy” couldn’t feel more timely -- and the original tracks, both the driving blues rockers and plaintive ballads, make fine use of Seger’s weathered pipes. It’s hard not to miss the old saxophone solos and piano arpeggios, at least a little, but good for Seger for not looking backward (despite the fresh-faced photo he uses for the cover). LISTEN TO: “Something More” Grade: B+

“Triplicate,” Bob Dylan

I’m a fan of Dylan’s recent foray into the Great American Songbook -- notably songs made famous by Frank Sinatra -- but the 30 tracks that make up “Triplicate” may be a little too much of a good thing. Still, he breaks them up nicely into three separate volumes -- ”‘Til the Sun Goes Down,” “Devil Dolls” and “Comin’ Home Late” -- and I challenge you not to be moved by his creaky, croaky but beautifully orchestrated and obviously heartfelt takes on undeniably timeless classics. (For best results, listen on a Victrola with a snifter of brandy in front of a roaring fire.) LISTEN TO: “Once Upon a Time” Grade: B

“Sad Clowns & Hillbillies,” John Mellencamp

Mellencamp, teamed for much of the album with Carlene Carter, sounds a little more country and a little less rock ‘n’ roll than usual on his latest, a collection of fiddle-friendly tracks with an easygoing vibe but less personality than his last few efforts. But there are plenty of highlights to be had, from his dark, moody duet with Carter on “Damascus Road” to the Dylan-esque melancholy of “You Are Blind.” LISTEN TO: “Sad Clowns” Grade: B

“Lindsey Buckingham/Christine McVie”

The first non-Fleetwood Mac collaboration of Buckingham and McVie sounds exactly like you’d think it would, only moreso. Fortunately, what it lacks in innovation it makes up for with craftsmanship -- this pair could design perfectly formed pop songs in their sleep. (And on this album, they may have.) LISTEN TO: On With The Show” Grade: B-

“Give More Love,” Ringo Starr

Ringo has made a few horrible albums, and this is not the horrible-est ... But there’s not much “there” there either. Paul McCartney lends some intrigue to the Beatles-esque album opener “We’re on the Road Again,” but the meandering nostalgia that makes up the rest of the disc is mostly forgettable. Worse, Starr makes the mistake of including re-recordings of some older numbers as bonus tracks -- his update of “Photograph” with folk rocker Vandaveer reminds us that Ringo used to be plenty capable of crafting sublime pop songs. (What happened?) LISTEN TO: “Laughable” Grade: C+

“Chuck,” Chuck Berry

If only the inventor of rock ‘n’ roll could have lived to see the reaction to his first album of original material in 38 years, released by his estate shortly after his passing in March at age 90. The quality is almost besides the point, but darn it if it isn’t all we could have hoped for: Chuck Berry songs that sound, gloriously, like Chuck Berry songs, chock full of playful lyrics and all those gorgeous licks. I couldn’t imagine a better soundtrack for Berry’s final duck-walk. LISTEN TO: “Big Boys” Grade: A (just for being Chuck)

Peter Chianca is news director for Wicked Local and author of “Glory Days: Springsteen’s Greatest Albums.” Follow him on Twitter at @pchianca.